Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Press Release

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of Piotr Ligmanowski, (Dob. 12/29/75) of 36 Chestnut St. Garfield, New Jersey. Ligmanowki was arrested on March 30, 2011 for Distribution of Counterfeit New Jersey Tax Stamped Cigarettes, and Possession of Counterfeit New Jersey Tax Stamped Cigarettes.

The charges are the result in a two month long investigation by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, White Collar Crime Unit, under the direction of Chief Steven Cucciniello, the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kevin Amos, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge Matthew W. Horace and the New Jersey Department of Treasury Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge Charles Giblin.

Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, White Collar Crime Unit developed information regarding the illegal sale of cigarettes bearing a counterfeit State of New Jersey tax stamp. Piotr Ligmanowski was found in possession of fifty-nine cartons of cigarettes bearing a counterfeit New Jersey tax stamp. As a result a search warrant was executed at his residence located at 36 Chestnut Street, Floor 3, Garfield, New Jersey, resulting in numerous other cartons from various domestic states being seized as well as a sum of United States currency.

Piotr Ligmanowski was taken into custody in a parking lot at a retail establishment lot located in Garfield, New Jersey. The sale of these counterfeit cigarettes represents a loss in tax revenue for the State of New Jersey.

Piotr Ligmanowski was charged with N.J.S.A. 54:40A-29A, Distribution of Counterfeit New Jersey Tax Stamped Cigarettes, N.J.S.A. 54:40 A-29C, Possession of Counterfeit New Jersey Tax Stamped Cigarettes, both crimes of the third degree.

Prosecutor Molinelli states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.